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Manure Expo: Hurry! Time’s running out

July 3, 2015, Chambersburg, PA – The 2015 North American Manure Expo, taking place July 14 and 15, 2015, in Chambersburg, Penn., is just 11 days away. The annual event provides an opportunity for custom manure applicators and livestock producers to advance their knowledge of manure-nutrient utilization while showcasing the latest technology in manure handling, treatment and application.

Some of the best learning opportunities take place when people can actually see the technology at work on the farm. With this in mind, two full-day tours covering different themes – dairy and equine/beef – have been planned for July 14. A part-day tour showcasing manure agitation is also available.

While the tours are free to attend, preregistration is required. People can do so by visiting manureexpo.org.

Dairy – The tour begins with a visit to Mercer Vu Dairy where attendees will learn about dual manure separation technologies, storage cover systems, mortality management, static dragline plus a unique calf feeding system and feed management planning.

The next stop is Slate Ridge Dairy where there will be a discussion of cropping and manure strategies plus a small-scale anaerobic digester tour, including a grain dryer using heat and power from the digester.

The final stop will be Burk-Lea Dairy, which will include a tour of the operation’s solid separation area plus numerous demonstrations: agitation equipment (concrete storage), dragline, manure gas monitoring equipment, phosphorus removal technology, agitation using lagoon boats (earthen basin). There will also be a summary of gas level observations taken during the demonstration.

Equine/Beef – Attendees will visit Wilson College where they will take part in a stable, training facility and pasture tour. Discussion will include manure collection and storage, manure utilization, the value of manure nutrients, basics of soil productivity, water flow on farm grounds and heavy-use areas, parasite management and evaluating pasture.

The second tour stop will be Kiskaddon Beef Farm where attendees will learn about the operation’s manure management strategies plus concrete barnyard improvements and stacking, controlling water runoff, irrigating using greywater and supplemented rotational grazing.

Agitation only – A part-day tour is also available, leaving in the afternoon. This tour will meet up with the full-day dairy tour at Burk-Lea Dairy to take part in the events and demonstrations being held there.

All of the tours will be transported back to the North American Manure Expo grounds, located on the Lesher Poultry Farm off Ingram Drive in Chambersburg, Penn. There, attendees will be able to visit with various vendors and enjoy dinner. More than 90 manufacturers and service providers will be exhibiting their wares as part of the expo’s trade show, which will be open from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Two education workshops will be held that evening; Digested Organics, starting at 6:30 p.m., and Bazooka Farmstar, starting at 7:30 p.m. Four exhibitors will also be taking part in a special New Products Showcase:

• 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Homestead Nutrition
• 7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Smart Turner Pumps
• 7:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Digi-Star
• 8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Puck Custom Enterprises

The expo trade show will be open again July 15 from at 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Many manufacturers and businesses use the North American Manure Expo to launch new products so be sure to visit all the exhibitor booths. You never know what new ideas and surprises await you.

It wouldn’t be Manure Expo without education opportunities. Puck Custom Enterprises will be holding its Pump School July 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Hampton Inn, 955 Lesher Road. On July 15, the first sessions begin at 8 a.m. Five tents will be arranged near the trade show area, each hosting presentations on a different theme: commercial hauler focus, manure and corn, poultry focus, management basics, and dairy focus. Other sessions will be held over the course of the day, including updates on agriculture road safety, fertilizer retailer regulations, state and federal regulation changes, gas safety, equine topics and PA one stop mapping. The final round of education sessions will begin at 4:30 p.m.

Continuing education credits have been approved for this show. For a summary and to see the full seminar agenda, visit manureexpo.org.

The North American Manure Expo prides itself on its demonstrations, providing vendors an opportunity to unveil and showcase new technologies and/or models while allowing attendees the chance view and compare equipment in action. Things will kick off in the field July 15 starting at 10:30 a.m. with solid manure spreader and compost equipment demonstrations followed by a calibration exercise. Liquid manure application demos will occur in the afternoon from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. followed by a live spill response demonstration using actual dairy manure for full effect.

The theme of the 2015 North American Manure Expo is Manure Than You Can Handle, which reflects the wide range of networking opportunities the event offers. It’s the perfect venue for attendees to talk to manufacturers, dealers and other experts in the manure industry and view side-by-side demonstrations of equipment. Nowhere else can the audience view and compare technologies while kicking the tires in such a large, industry-specific forum. The scope of the event allows exposure to experts from across the U.S. and even worldwide.

As a fun treat, a special T-shirt with the 2015 slogan on the front was created. On the back of the shirt will be the “Top 10 Rejected Manure Expo Slogans.” These slogans were chosen earlier this year from more than 750 suggestions collected from around the world. A team of highly trained professionals spent weeks wading through the entries and 10 winners floated to the top.

The first 600 people who register for Manure Expo at manureexpo.org receive a free T-shirt. They must redeem their printed registration form during the show at the Manure Expo information booth located inside the Exhibitors’ tent. Shirts will also be available for purchase at the expo.

Remember, the North American Manure Expo is 11 days away so register now. Drop by manureexpo.org to check out the schedule, sign up for the tour of your choice, and learn more about the event.